News bites: July 16, 2016

Yes, please yes! Ma Dong-seok (Police Unit 38) is leaning towards choosing Admiral Kim Chang-soo as his next project, which would mean he might be working with another favorite, Jo Jin-woong (Signal), in a film about the political activist also known as Kim Koo. Jo’s being courted to play the titular hero of the Korean independence movement, which is interesting because he played an independence fighter contracted by Kim in Assassination (although Kim Koo in the 2014 film was more of a fleeting historical reference in the swashbuckling fictional story than a significant character). The script is still being worked on, but both actors are considering favorably. Admiral Kim Chang-soo will be directed by Lee Won-tae, produced by Jang Won-seok (A Hard Day), and once casting is complete, filming will begin before the end of the year. [Joongang, Sports Kyunghyang]

KBS’s Hwarang: The Beginning (How are they STILL casting for this show?) has added another member: Seo Ye-ji (Moorim School) will play a Shilla princess and the daughter of Kim Ji-soo’s character. She’s known for her cold personality, but as she gets to know Go Ara and the flower boys, she’ll become a warmer person (I’d melt too if I were surrounded by so much pretty.). Filming on the show began at the end of March and Hwarang: The Beginning will air before the end of the year. [Osen]

Seo Ye-ji, Lee Se-young, Oh Yeon-seo

Lee Se-young (Vampire Detective) has been cast as the younger half-sister of Gu Jae-yi‘s character in Laurel Tree Tailors. She’ll play a sweet but immature and tomboyish character who has a loveline with Hyun Woo (Jackpot). KBS’s weekend drama starring Shin Gu, Lee Dong-gun, Jo Yoon-hee, Cha In-pyo, Oh Hyun-kyung, Ra Mi-ran and more will air after Five Kids completes its run in August. [Joy News 24]

I need more Oh Yeon-seo (Come Back, Ajusshi) in my life, and fingers are crossed that she accepts the role she’s been offered in Conman. The upcoming film, starring Hyun Bin as a swindler who only cons other conmen, also stars Yoo Ji-tae (The Good Wife). Previous reports described Yoo’s character as a corrupt prosecutor, but it may be that he’s enlisting Hyun’s help in a greater scheme to take down the real baddies. [TV Report]

Hwang Jung-min, Lee Sung-min

They enjoyed working together on A Violent Prosecutor so much that they’re back at it again: Hwang Jung-min and Lee Sung-min are confirmed for director Yoon Jong-bin’s latest film Maneuver. Yoon had producing credits on A Violent Prosecutor, directed Lee in KUNDO: Age of the Rampant, and is a producer for Lee’s upcoming movie Sheriff. Based on a true story about a joint North and South Korean project and the secret tactics used by the North, cameras for the project will begin rolling in early 2017. [Star]

The launch of Second to Last Love, the Japanese drama remake about fortysomething love starring Kim Hee-ae (Mrs. Cop) and Ji Jin-hee (I Have a Lover), is being delayed by a week. Ji had broken his nose while filming action scenes, and as a result, SBS has pushed the premiere to July 30 in order to give him time to heal post-surgery. The show was to fill the timeslot voided by Beautiful Gong Shim, and the network is still undecided on what to air July 23 and 24. [Xports News]

Kang Ye-won, Han Chae-ah

Yay for a Chungmuro project starring women! Kang Ye-won (Bad Guys) and Han Chae-ah (Master of Trade—Inn 2015) have snagged the leads in comedy action movie Temporary Special Agent. Kang’s character is described as a woman with 100% specs on paper but who in reality is 100% a zero (ha). She dreams of a Mission Impossible-esque job, but she’s a mere desk worker with a two-year contract at the National Security Agency. When the NSA’s budget goes missing due to a voice-phishing scam, she’ll join forces with Han, a white-collar crimes investigator, to recover the funds. Cameras for Temporary Special Agent begin rolling next month and the film is being primed for an early 2017 release. [Osen, Sports Chosun]

The Japanese remake of 2012’s I Am a Murderer (or Confession of Murder) has been greenlit and will star Fujiwara Tatsuya and Ito Hideaki in the roles played by Park Shi-hoo and Jung Jae-young, respectively. In the 2012 film, Park played a serial killer who waited until the statute of limitations had expired to write a bestseller about his killings, while Jung played the detective intent on putting him behind bars. The reboot will be directed by Irie Yu and will begin filming this month for a summer 2017 release. [Hankook Economy]

Seo Woo, Im Se-mi

No stranger to revenge plots, Seo Woo (King’s Daughter Soo Baek-hyang) has joined the mystery horror film Glass Garden as a pianist who marries a psychiatrist played by Oh Chang-seok (Twinkle Twinkle My Heart). Aww and yay, Kim Sa-hee (Dramaworld) has landed a part as well—she’ll play the elder sister of Oh’s former lover, and she’s out to avenge her sister’s unfortunate death. Filming began a few days ago and Glass Garden should hit theaters in 2017. [DongA, Hankook Economy]

Im Se-mi (Goodbye Mr. Black) joins Shopping King Louie as a perfect woman who is smart, skilled at her job, modest and has a sweet temperament. The drama will follow the conclusion of W—Two Worlds in September on Wednesdays and Thursdays on MBC. [DongA]

July 16, 2016 at 3:37 AM

July 16, 2016 at 3:55 AM

UNREGISTERED

Totally forgot about "Hwarang: The Beginning". They've been shooting for 4 months already and there's still people joining (and doesn't sound like an absolute insignificant role)? Are they just editing her into the already shot footage or what? Lol

How I wish "Temporary Special Agent" was a drama instead of a movie...sounds fun.

July 16, 2016 at 9:00 AM

UNREGISTERED

Confession of Murder It's a good movie, great script. I've watched it 3 or 4 times actually. There are some issues,mainly because the film tries to mix genres to lighten an otherwise very dark script, which it shouldn't have! The first time director's attempt to 'be everything'...action, crime noir, dark comedy...interrupted the flow of the feel of the movie. The main story about the murderer and the twisted public reception of the murderer's reappearance 15+ years later is riveting on its own. He should have stuck with just that and let the dark take over. But it was highly entertaining and the acting was terrific/powerful even...the best thing about it. You totally believe in the 2 main characters.

July 16, 2016 at 11:14 AM

UNREGISTERED

Glad to see that two alumnae of KING'S DAUGHTER SU BAEK-HYANG have new projects in the works. Im Se-mi was delightful in the role of Queen Eunhye. Seo Woo was great as the titular heroine's usurping half-sister.

July 16, 2016 at 8:05 PM

UNREGISTERED

Ah.. Seo Woo will work with Moon Geun Young again then after Cinderella's Sister.
Oh Yeon Seo, please accept the movie with Hyun Bin and Yoo Ji Tae! It sounds interesting!
And yay for teddy bear ahjussis in one movie!!!!

August 10, 2016 at 6:53 PM

UNREGISTERED

Hi

I'm new here. Have watched many, many films from Korea, Japan and China, but have avoided dramas so far out of fear of becoming totally addicted. I have a question for those familiar with Japanese TV. Somewhere I read about a show…it sounds interesting, though it's not actually a drama. An actor (sorry, I forhet who!) explores 1) his neighbourhood, or 2) assorted Tokyo neighbourhoods, I forget which. His friend, Takayuki Yamada, often joins him. Does anyone have the faintest idea what I'm talking about? If you do, is this show online, with subs?
Thanks!